Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-04-08

burnt, Mltc1ell lell CERTAIN lDaG he
could construct a rude ladder out of
the pieces, long enough to enable him
to reach the plateau below. As soon
as he had satisfied his hunger and
thirst, he began to rip and tear up the
old balloon in the most economical
manner, and to fasten the pieces to-
gether by strong knots The larger
ropes were untwisted, and made into
single strands. The bag was cut in
strips. and then twisted together iu
strong train until he had a rope
nearly fifty feet in length. This he
threw over the side of the peak, and
tried to touch the plateau with the
lower end of it, but found that it did
not come within ten feet of it. His
coat was then taken off, and convert
ed into rag rope in the same way.
This enabled him to come within
jumping distance of the landing
The upper end of the queer rope
was then secured to a jutting rock
which hung over theledge OF the prec-
ipice. His provisions were buckled
closely around his waist, and with a
shudder the scientist threw himself
off into space. The long rope sway
ed under his heavy weight, and
threatened to part at every move.
But with admirable GOODNESS the sci
enlist lowered himself down gradual
| ly, step by step, until the rocks were
within twenty feet of his body. The
eagle, that had meanwhile remained
on the summit of the mountains, now
began to fly close to the mans head,
threatening to attack him.. But the
undaunted man fought desperately
with his enemy, and frightened it off
with his feet. The bird, finding it.
self robbed of it's prey, screamed
louder than ever. and disappeared
around the adjoining peak. When
the scientist finally Let go his lhold,
he dropped safely upon the plateau,
and, after recovering himself, he
started off on q quick walk to descend
the mountains.
For two days he wandered about
the mountain wilds, trying to reach
level ground, and find the habitation
of man. On the third day his efforts
were rewarded; and, worn out with
his toll and privations, he gladly ac-
cepted the hospitality of farmer, who
offered him bed and lodgings until he
recovered his health and strength.
The idea of renewing his experiment
among the clouds never recurred to
his mind again without causing
shudder of fear.
"My instruments are on yonder
peak" he was in the habit of saying
ito his friends; and there also perished
my wild schemes aud inventions"
GEORGE E. WALSH
Farmer Wade Encounters
Liar.
Farmer Wade, of the Missouri del.
egation, went into an F street shoe
store, and in his cheerful Ozark
mountain way, told the dapper young
clerk that he had "come to be shod,"
1t wasn't long until the Congress
man and the clerk were on sociable
terms,
Now, here" said the latter, as he
slipped on No. g. lis pair of shoes
we made to order for DR.. Smith, of
Washington. You've heard of him
They didn't quite fit and he wouldn't
take 'em I'll sell 'em to you at the
cost Of ready-made shoes, and they're
bargain"
Farmer Wade tried the Doctors
shoes on and then tried on two or
three more pairs, and between times
be chattered with the clerk until the
latter became so interested in Greene
county folks that he forgot about bus
mess. Suddenly remembering that
he had not yet made trade, the
clerk picked up pair of number
9's.
"Now, here" said he glibly, as he
slid the shoe over Farmer Wade's
good yarn sock, sis o pair of shoes we
made to order for Dr. Smith, of
Washington. You've heard of
him"
Hold on there" shouted Farmer
Wade, indignantly,"wha do you take
me for, sucker? This DR.. Smith
of yours must be darned hard to
please"
The clerk stammered an apology,
and Farmer Wade, having had his
wrath greatly mollifed, proceeded to
improve the opportunity for moral
lesson. :.
young man." said he,in his most
serious Sunday school manner, "did
you ever hear of Annanias?"
NO." was the reply, Il never did.
Who was he? Did he live in Mis-
souri?"
When Farmer Wade came down to
the Willard short time after the
shoe store episode, he told Col. Hale
confdentiallv that "the dogonedest
liar he ever met lived right here in
Washington.
A Gray-Headed Old Sinner.